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Social Media Plays Big Role in Election Season

(ABC 6 News) -- There's a relatively new mix to this election season, social media. Campaigns are using it as a tool, and voters are using it as a source of information.

Social media can have a huge impact on voters, simply for the fact that you can reach so many with one simple post or tweet. Come election night while people may be glued to the TV, there's a good chance they will also be using their smart phones or computers and will be following every update online.

Phone call after phone call both sides are working for every last vote.

"Every vote matters especially when an election is this close," said Obama campaign volunteer Mary Till.

"It can be an extra couple points for your side," said Olmsted County Republican chair Bruce Kaskubar.

But this election there is a new tool.

"Obviously social media is crucial in everyone's lives," said Till.

Almost every candidate is trying to reach as many voters as possible through social media sites.

"We've got people out there tweeting, on facebook, a blog, and a website, it's a little hard to measure, but we see interaction," said Kaskubar.

The sites have their benefits, not only can candidates reach more people, but supporters can reach out as well.

"I've been able to reach out to people in Michigan and Florida," said Till.

Social media offers voters a simple place to share ideas and links, and even stir up their own debates. Influencing each other at a much faster pace.

" I've seen people debating, facebook especially is heating up right now, I steer people to fact checking organizations," said Till.

While posts and tweets may seem like simple comments, every bit of influence matters.

"You have to get your candidate out there and hopefully be the last one to make a good impression and get someone to vote for them on Tuesday," said Kaskubar.

Along with the phone calls, the campaigns are hoping to use social media to get voters to the polls.

"Vote, vote, vote!" said Till.

A recent survey by Pew found that 66 percent of facebook users have posted political posts or have been involved in political debates on facebook.

You can stay with ABC 6 News on election night. We will be following every tweet, trend, and post online. So we can give you not only what's going on with the election, but how people are reacting as the results come in.